Starting a Ketamine Clinic: Expectations vs. Reality

Blog - Starting a Ketamine Clinic (3)

When embarking on a path that few have ventured before, it's natural to be inundated with questions. The use of ketamine as a treatment for neuropathic pain and behavioral health disorders, particularly Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), is still in its early stages. Therefore, the journey of starting your own ketamine business or clinic is no different and is filled with challenges and learning curves.

In this blog post, we breakdown the expectations and realities of setting up your own ketamine clinic. Read on to discover how you can be fully prepared to embark on this endeavor and successfully open your own clinic.

ketamine clinic progress

eXPECTATION: SWIFT Launch and sTraightfoRward progress

Many medical professionals are excited about the future of ketamine and for a good reason. With all the recent news surrounding the wondrous efficacy of ketamine as a treatment for a variety of depression related issues, there has been a surge of new ketamine clinics being established around the nation. The increase in clinics has the potential to help thousands of people as depression levels reach an all-time high throughout America. The idea of opening a clinic quickly to provide this treatment and create a business of your own sounds straight forward. However, many of these clinics are running into problems that they didn't foresee.

Reality: a Slow and Laborious Journey

Opening a ketamine clinic is very similar to learning the game of chess. Acquiring the basics to play casual games with friends hardly takes any time at all. To gain an advanced skill level takes hundreds to thousands of hours of study and practice.

The hardest part of opening a clinic isn't finding a location or staff. The toughest part is the many hours needed to perfect the art and science of administering ketamine to patients in an ethical and efficient way, all while maintaining a patient load large enough to run a successful clinic. Establishing a successful business requires a significant investment of time and effort, often underestimated by those who dive headfirst into the business world. With NeuroMend's expertise, you can save countless hours of unnecessary labor. Request our Infusion Protocol and Ops Manual below to allow us to help you get started.

KETAMINE patient demand

Expectation: High Demand

With all of the beautiful stories people are sharing about how ketamine has miraculously pulled them from the depths of depression, it would be safe to assume that those with depression would be fighting to get in the door of the nearest clinic to seek treatment. The patient numbers are rising, but building your clientele takes time.

Reality: patient Uptake Takes Time

In an age where people have unlimited access to resources, both good and bad, they are skeptical anytime the word "cure" is used. Celebrities with no medical training write posts or appear on TV claiming that they have discovered the next superfood to cure all of humanity's illnesses. However, there is a major dissonance between these celebrities' claims and medical professionals who have used proven science by trial and error to develop a methodology that is seeing efficacy rates near 80%. With the ability to focus on your patient population and growth you can overcome this reality. We have given you the freedom to do just this by helping you fast forward through the tedious task of creating your own policies, procedures, in addition to helping you with marketing your business.

FDA AND KETAMINE

Expectation: NO ROADBLOCKS WITH THE FDA

Ketamine, in its various forms, including intravenous (IV) administration, has been researched for its potential antidepressant effects, especially in the context of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Despite exploration, IV ketamine has not received formal approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating behavioral disorders or neuropathic pain. Nevertheless, the use of ketamine for these purposes is often considered an off-label treatment option since ketamine is FDA approved as an anesthetic.

Reality: Hurdles to FDA Approval

Currently, Spravato is an FDA-approved inhalable form of ketamine, specifically esketamine, for the treatment of TRD (For more information on Spravato vs Ketamine, click here!). In reality, several hurdles impede the FDA's approval of ketamine as a depression treatment, with a significant challenge being the lack of long-term studies. Although approved by the FDA for applications such as anesthesia, intravenous ketamine for TRD is currently administered as an off-label therapy. However, there are numerous examples of off-label medications evolving into widely accepted treatments for specific health conditions.

A prime example of an off-label medication is Botox:

Original Use: Botox was initially approved for treating certain eye muscle disorders and conditions associated with muscle spasms.
Off-Label Evolution: Its cosmetic applications were discovered when physicians noticed a reduction in facial wrinkles and lines in patients receiving Botox for other medical reasons. Botox is now widely used for cosmetic purposes, including reducing facial wrinkles.

Neuromend's KETAMINE CLINIC CONSULTING

The challenges discussed above merely scratch the surface of our experiences. Nevertheless, our confidence in ketamine remains steadfast.

Witnessing transformative improvements in countless patients who had little hope before treatment is our primary motivation. Allow us to assist you in contributing to the well-being of thousands of deserving patients while establishing a prosperous enterprise of your own.

With our ketamine clinic consulting services, we can answer any questions you may have. Learn more at the link below and get started today!

Disclaimer: As of September 29, 2023, NeuroMend no longer offers Spravato treatments. We apologize for any inconvenience and encourage you to consult with our team or your healthcare provider for alternative options.